Solved Large unknown evergreen shrub

We have a big evergreen shrub in our front garden that we are looking to identify to find out when it can be pruned. Every year it flowers at some point with quite a lot of white flowers. It's got too big and needs pruning evenly to reduce its size by 1/4-1/3 as it grows vigorously each year.

Can anyone help please?

 

Pics rather small...can you post larger?
When you add pics clic ...."Full Image" option.
Maybe Myrtus family.
eg Amomyrtus luma.
Flowers would be a huge help.

 

Yes sure, no problem. I have taken the closeup's again now the sun is lower but the light is still good. I have tapped insert every image as a full image as advised.

 

Sorry no flowers currently and I don't have an old photo of this shrub I can include either.

 

Do you know roughly when you see the flowers? The suggestion of Amomyrtus luma is a good one and flowering should be round about now onwards. If you tend to see flowers much later, going into July time, maybe it could be Luma apiculata.

 

Eeeck.


I was in middle of post above but then went out.
Pics 1 and 2 above are Luma apiculata...my other suggestion.
I forgot to amend my post and label them.
Apologies.

 

Sorry, we are not sure when it flowers in the spring or summer.

 

Thank you for your replies it's much appreciated.

I looked up both suggestions of Amomyrtus Luma and Luma Apiculata on Google. They suggest pruning in the dormant period in late winter or early spring. So from that, late Feb - early April would be a good time I think.

 

On looking at your photos a bit more, I think it's Luma apiculata. The leaves are quite compact and small. Since it's quite established, you can prune it in the times you mentioned. Stay away from the colder months, even February is too early.

I'm a bit jealous of yours, it looks really happy. I managed to kill one years back. I guess it just didn't like being in a container. It was always in a state of looking half dead.

 

Been thinking/checking.
Amomyrtus luma.
It was flowering in Cornwall in March.
In Wales we had flowers in late April into May.
In London if it was this one it would have flowers now.

So agree with others Luma apiculata seems best option.
It has beautiful bark...more pics below
Why not remove lower branches to let the light in and see bark and leave top to grow taller.

 

Ok thanks. Do you think late March/Early April would be better to prune it instead?

 

Thanks. There are other evergreens along that side of the garden and although this is the biggest and we want it to be still, we don't want it to appear out of proportion too much compared to the others out the front.

 

Just had a look at RHS re pruning.
Luma apiculata | temu Shrubs/RHS

It comes under Pruning Group 1

RHS Pruning Groups / RHS
Quote....."Pruning group 1: Light pruning

These evergreen shrubs and Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.
deciduous trees and certain deciduous shrubs need very little pruning and are best left to their own devices in most cases. They do not send out vigorous shoots that need curbing. Remove diseased, damaged congested or crossing shoots. Shoots that are growing in unwanted directions can also be pruned out. These plants flower on previous or current year's growth."

 

Your shrub looks very happy and well established. Since you are just shaping it or keeping control of its size, you can prune anytime in the year. I would avoid near the colder months, or near the autumn period because there may be new tender growth that would be too weak for the colder months ahead, so yes, April onwards should be fine and better.